U.S. patent application number 13/530080 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for airbag module for a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to TAKATA AG. Invention is credited to Steffen WEIGAND.
Application Number | 20120261912 13/530080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43568126 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WEIGAND; Steffen |
October 18, 2012 |
AIRBAG MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
Abstract
An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag
module comprising a gasbag inflatable for the protection of a
person, a band interacting with the gasbag, a carrier of the airbag
module, a holding element via which the band is attached to the
carrier and a motion generating device. The holding element is
integrally formed with the carrier such that it can be separated
from the carrier for releasing the band upon impact of a
predeterminable force on the holding element. The motion generating
device is configured and provided for blasting off the complete
holding element from the carrier for releasing the band.
Inventors: |
WEIGAND; Steffen;
(Aschaffenburg, DE) |
Assignee: |
TAKATA AG
|
Family ID: |
43568126 |
Appl. No.: |
13/530080 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/EP2010/070235 |
Dec 20, 2010 |
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13530080 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/239 20130101;
B60R 2021/2395 20130101; B60R 2021/23384 20130101; B60R 21/2338
20130101; B60R 2021/2765 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/736 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/26 20110101
B60R021/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 055 266.9 |
Claims
1. An airbag module for a motor vehicle, comprising a gasbag
inflatable for the protection of a person, a band interacting with
the gasbag, a carrier of the airbag module, a holding element via
which the band is attached to the carrier, wherein the holding
element is integrally formed with the carrier such that it can be
separated from the carrier for releasing the band upon impact of a
predeterminable force on the holding element, and a motion
generating device which is configured and provided for blasting off
the complete holding element from the carrier for releasing the
band.
2. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the holding
element is formed on the carrier via a predetermined breaking
connection.
3. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the holding
element protrudes from the carrier.
4. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the holding
element comprises a circumferential sidewall via which it is formed
on the carrier.
5. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the band is
placed around the holding part, in particular around its sidewall,
for being attached to the carrier.
6. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the motion
generating device is provided in form of a gas generator.
7. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the holding
element comprises a through opening in which the motion generating
device is inserted.
8. The airbag module according to claims 1, further comprising a
clamping element which is attached to the carrier in such a way
that it presses a contact region of the motion generating device
against the holding element for fixing the motion generating device
to the holding element.
9. The airbag module according to claim 8, wherein the contact
section is pressed against an edge region of the holding element
delimiting the through opening.
10. The airbag module according to claim 8, wherein at least one
bolt protrudes from the clamping element which reaches through an
assigned opening of the carrier for attaching the carrier at the
clamping element, wherein said bolt can be screwed, in particular
via a nut which presses the carrier against the clamping
element.
11. The airbag module according to claim 8, wherein the clamping
element is formed as a diffuser for vortexing gases to be
discharged into the gas bag.
12. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is
configured for carrying a further gas generator for inflating the
gas bag.
13. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the carrier
comprises a bottom and a circumferential wall protruding therefrom,
wherein the bottom in particular comprises a generator opening for
receiving the further gas generator.
14. The airbag module according to claim 13, wherein the holding
element is formed on the bottom of the carrier.
15. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the band
interacts with at least one outlet opening of the gas bag such that
the opening cross section of said at least one outlet opening is
enlarged or reduced when the band is released by the holding
element.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent
Application Number PCT/EP2010/070235, filed on Dec. 20, 2010, which
was published in German as WO 2011/076733. The foregoing
international application is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates to an airbag module for a motor.
[0003] Such an airbag module comprises a gasbag which can be
inflated for the protection of a person, a band interacting with
the gasbag which in particular is formed flexible and may extend
longitudinally, a carrier of the airbag module for carrying
components of the airbag module and a holding element, via which
said band is fixed to the carrier.
SUMMARY
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide such an airbag
module which can be fabricated cost effectively and in a simple
manner.
[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention the
holding element is integrally formed on the carrier. The carrier
and the holding element formed thereon can be moulded from plastic
(e.g. injection moulding) or a metal or can be formed in any other
way. Further, the holding element is formed on the carrier in such
a way that the holding element is separated from the carrier and
releases the band when a predetermined force impacts on the holding
element, i.e. the band is not fixed to the carrier anymore.
[0006] Exemplary, the holding element is connected to the carrier
via a predetermined breaking connection (also called predetermined
breaking point) which e.g. is formed by a circumferential weakening
line. Such a weakening line, for example, is formed by providing
less material of the carrier and the holding element, respectively,
in the region of said line and of the interface between the holding
element and the actual carrier (in sections), respectively, than in
the surroundings of said line such that the holding element will be
separated from the carrier along this predetermined braking point
(weakening line) under the impact of said force.
[0007] Exemplary, the holding element furthermore protrudes from
the carrier, in particular along an extension direction of the
holding element, which in particular runs opposite a main unfolding
direction, along which the gasbag unfolds for the protection of a
person. The holding element thus in particular is formed as an
elevation or a recess of the carrier.
[0008] In this sense, the holding element thus preferably comprises
a circumferential side wall via which it is formed on the carrier,
and furthermore a bottom from which said side wall protrudes. In
particular, said predetermined breaking point is provided at the
bottom of said side wall, i.e. at the interface between carrier and
side wall and preferably circulates accordingly.
[0009] Exemplary, the band is placed around the holding element for
being fixed to the carrier, in particular around its side wall,
such that it surrounds the holding element and its side wall,
respectively. For this, the band exemplarily can comprise a loop
surrounding the side wall of the holding element. In case the
holding element is separated from the carrier, the band thus is
released and no longer fixed to the carrier.
[0010] For separating the holding element from the carrier,
preferably a motion generating device is provided, in particular in
the form of a gas generator, which is configured and provided for
detaching the holding element from the carrier, i.e. in particular
for destroying the predetermined breaking point for separating the
holding element.
[0011] For this, the holding element exemplary comprises a through
opening which preferably is provided in the bottom of the holding
element, in which the motion generating device is introduced such
that said side wall of the holding element surrounds said motion
generating device in cross-section.
[0012] This permits the motion generating device to exert a force
on the holding element after activation in such a way that the
holding element is separated from the carrier along said
predetermined breaking point, in particular together with the
motion generating device.
[0013] For fixing the motion generating device in said through
opening of the holding element in particular a clamping element is
provided which can be fixed at the carrier in such a way that it
presses a contact section of the motion generating device against
the holding element and in particular covers or closes the through
opening. Thus, said contact section in particular is pressed
against a rim section of the bottom of the holding element
delimiting the through opening.
[0014] Exemplary, at least one bolt protrudes from the clamping
element which reaches through an assigned opening of the carrier
for fixing the carrier to the clamping element, wherein said bolt
in particular can be screwed with a nut which presses the carrier
against the clamping element. Further, said clamping element can be
configured and provided as a diffuser for creating vortexes of
gases to be guided into the gasbag and for this can comprise a
cap-like region with cut-throughs through which the gas can enter
into the gasbag.
[0015] Said carrier of the airbag module according to the invention
in particular is configured to carry a (further) gas generator for
inflating the gasbag of the airbag module. Preferably, the carrier
comprises a bottom and a circumferential side wall protruding from
it, wherein said bottom in particular comprises a generator opening
for receiving said (further) gas generator. Preferably, the holding
element is formed at the bottom of the carrier or connected to it
via a predetermined breaking connection.
[0016] The band initially fixed to the carrier in particular is
configured and provided in such a way that it interacts with
functional components of the gasbag by means of which the gasbag
can be adapted to the person to be protected. For example, the band
in particular interacts with at least one outlet opening of the
gasbag such that the open cross section of said at least one outlet
opening is enlarged or reduced when the band is released by the
holding element, e.g. during inflation of the gasbag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The described features and advantages of the invention shall
be illustrated by means of the following description of figures of
an embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 1-2: show a perspective view of a clamping metal sheet
of an airbag module according to the invention which is deposited
in a covering cap of the airbag module.
[0019] FIG. 3: shows a perspective view of a carrier of an airbag
module according to the invention which is arranged on the clamping
metal sheet.
[0020] FIG. 4: shows a schematic sectional view of an airbag module
according to the invention before activation of the motion
generating device for detaching a holding element for a band of the
airbag module.
[0021] FIG. 5: shows a further schematic sectional view of the
airbag module shown in FIG. 1 upon activation of the motion
generating device.
[0022] FIG. 6: shows a further schematic sectional view of the
airbag module shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a detached holding
element and a released band
[0023] FIG. 7: shows a schematic, detailed view-like sectional view
of an airbag module according to the invention, wherein the band
covers an outlet opening of the gasbag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 4 in connection with the other Figures depicts in cross
section an airbag module 1 according to the invention in form of a
driver airbag module, wherein the main unfolding direction H of a
gasbag 10 of the airbag module 1, along which the gasbag unfolds
towards a person to be protected during inflation, lies in the
cross sectional plane according to FIG. 4.
[0025] The airbag module 1 comprises a covering cap 2 covering the
gasbag 10 of the airbag module before inflation (see FIG. 1) and a
carrier 30 for carrying a gas generator G configured for inflating
the gasbag 10.
[0026] The carrier 30 comprises, a, in particular circular, bottom
36 having a central generator opening 38 for receiving the gas
generator G (not shown in the Figures) and a wall 37 circulating
transverse with respect to the main unfolding direction H, the wall
37 protruding from an outer edge of bottom 36 and extending along
the main unfolding direction H.
[0027] A holding element 31 is integrally formed with the carrier
30 at the bottom 36 of the carrier 30 via a predetermined breaking
connection V such that the carrier in the region of said holding
element forms a recess or an elevation (formed by the holding
element). That is, the holding element 31 protrudes from the bottom
36 of the carrier 30 along an extension direction E opposite the
main unfolding direction H.
[0028] The holding element 31 comprises a circumferential sidewall
32 via which it is formed on the bottom 36 of the carrier (adjacent
to the generator opening 38), i.e. said sidewall in particular is
formed on the bottom 36 of the carrier via said predetermined
breaking connection V. The sidewall 32 of the holding element 31
protrudes from a bottom 34 of the holding element 31 in which a
central through opening 33 for receiving a motion generating device
50 is provided.
[0029] A contact region 51 of the motion generating device 50 is
pressed against an edge region 34a of the bottom 34 of the holding
element 31 delimiting the through opening 33 of holding element 31
by means of a clamping element 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) such that
said clamping element simultaneously shields the motion generating
device 50 with respect to the gasbag 10. For this, the clamping
element 60 can comprise a protrusion towards the motion generating
device in the region of the motion generating device 50, i.e., in
the extension direction E which presses the motion generating
device in the trough opening 33 and against said edge region 34a,
respectively, as soon as the carrier 30 is fixed at the clamping
element 60. For this, the clamping element 60 according to FIG. 2
comprises bolts 61 protruding from the clamping element 60 in the
extension direction E, the bolts being inserted into corresponding
openings 35 of carrier 30 and, for example, are screwed with nuts
62 such that they pretension the carrier 30 against the clamping
sheet 60.
[0030] The assembly of clamping sheet 60 and carrier 30 is
exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Accordingly, at first the
clamping sheet 60 is deposited in the covering cap 2 of the airbag
module 1 (the folded gasbag 10 is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).
Subsequently, the carrier 30 and the motion generating device 50
(not shown in FIG. 3) is arranged on the clamping element 60 and
assembled as set forth above. According to FIGS. 3 and 4 to 6, the
clamping sheet 60 can also have the function of a diffuser. For
this, the clamping sheet 60 comprises a central cap-like region 60a
with apertures through which gas released by the gas generator G
can flow into the gasbag 10.
[0031] Furthermore, the clamping sheet 60 in particular also
presses the airbag cap 2 against the bottom 36 of the carrier after
having been screwed to the carrier according to FIGS. 4 to 6.
Further, also the gas bag 10, i.e. a circumferential edge region of
an inlet opening of the gas bag 10, can be pressed against a part
of the airbag module 1, in particular against the carrier 30, by
means of the clamping sheet 60 in order to fix the gas bag 10 in
the airbag module 1.
[0032] The motion generating device 50 in particular is provided as
a so-called micro gas generator which can be ignited (activated)
electrically by means of a suitable control device and which then
pyrotechnically provides an acceleration. The acceleration acts in
such a way that the motion generating device 50 transmits a force
on the holding element 31 that tears apart the predetermined
breaking connection V and that detaches the holding element 31 from
the bottom 36 of carrier 30 opposite the main unfolding direction
H, that is, in the extension direction E.
[0033] By this, a band 20 coming from the gas bag 10 and in
particular being guided through the generator opening 38 and being
placed around the holding element 31, i.e. around its sidewall 32
such that tensioning the band 20 in the main unfolding direction H
pushes the band 20 against the sidewall 32 of the holding element
31 and thus fixes the band 20 at the carrier 30, is separated from
the holding element 31 and thus released.
[0034] The activation of the motion generating device 50 is
schematically indicated by a bolt in FIG. 5, wherein in FIG. 5 the
holding element 31 is already separated from carrier 30.
[0035] Thereby, according to FIG. 6, the band is released, the band
exemplarily having a longitudinal shape forming a closed loop 21
with a free end which is initially placed around the holding
element 31 and its sidewall 32 such that said loop extends around
the holding element 31 in cross section.
[0036] Another free end F interacts with the gasbag 10. For
example, the other free end F of band 20 according to FIG. 7 can be
attached to a covering of an outlet opening 100 of the gasbag 10 or
may itself form such a covering such that the band 20 is tensioned
during inflation of the gasbag 10 and pulls away said covering
(free end F) for allowing gas to flow out of the gas bag 10 in case
the motion generating device 50 is not activated to release the
band 20. The free end F can be initially attached to the outlet
opening 100 in a suited manner, for example by means of a tear seam
R, an adhesive connection or any other connection. The free end F
(covering) can be attached at gasbag 10 at an inside or also
partially outside the gas bag 10 wherein it may be lead out of the
outlet opening 100. If the holding element 31 is not separated
during inflation of the gas bag 10, the band 20 will be
pretensioned during inflation of gasbag 10 and the free end F
(covering element) will be separated from the outlet opening 100,
wherein said connection R will be released. In this manner, a
controllable venting of the gas bag 10 is possible.
[0037] Other control mechanisms wherein the gas bag 10 is adapted
to the person to be protected or other circumstances via the band
20 are also conceivable.
[0038] The priority application, German Patent Application Number
10 2009 055 266.9, filed on Dec. 23, 2009 is incorporated by
reference herein.
* * * * *